• What happens when REM sleep is reduced?

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    Reduced REM sleep can have several notable effects, impacting both mental and physical health:

    1. Emotional Instability: A consistent association exists between reduced REM sleep and increased emotional instability. REM sleep plays a crucial role in emotional processing and regulation, often referred to as "overnight therapy" or "emotional first aid". Without adequate REM sleep, individuals might experience heightened emotional sensitivity and be more prone to stress and anxiety 1 2.

    2. Cognitive Functions: REM sleep is vital for various cognitive processes, including learning and memory consolidation. Insufficient REM sleep can impair these cognitive functions, negatively affecting problem-solving skills and memory retention 3.

    3. Longevity and Health Risks: Research suggests that REM sleep is a strong predictor of longevity. A linear relationship indicates that decreased REM sleep is associated with a higher risk of mortality from various causes, highlighting the importance of REM sleep for overall health and lifespan 1.

    4. Addiction and Mental Health: REM sleep plays a role in addiction and recovery from substance use. Lack of REM sleep can increase addiction potential and make recovery more difficult. In disorders like depression and PTSD, changes in REM sleep architecture might either contribute to symptoms or serve as a compensatory mechanism, with some antidepressants targeting these sleep alterations 4 5.

    Overall, REM sleep is crucial for emotional balance, cognitive function, and overall health, and its reduction can lead to several adverse outcomes.

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